Livestock rubbing station



Oct. 22, 1957 D. c. ASSMAN EI'AL 2,810,369

LIVESTOCK RUBBING STATION 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed larch 9, 1956 INVENTORS DONALD c.- AssMAN WILLIAM c. ASSMAN 1957 D. c. AssMAN ETAL 2,810,369

LIVESTOCK RUBBING STATION 2 Sheejts-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 1956 INVENTORS DONALD c:- ASBMAN WILLI AM, C- ASSMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent LIVESTOCK RUBBING STATION Donald C. Assman and William C. Assman, Winner, S. Dak.

Application March 9, 1956, Serial No. 570,597

4 Claims. (Cl. 119-157) This invention relates to a livestock rubbing station, and more particularly has reference to a device of this nature, which may be summarized briefly as follows:

An upstanding frame is adapted to support a main drum or reservoir, containing a liquid insecticide or the like. Extending outwardly, downwardly from the frame in opposite directions are elongated wick assemblies, so located that livestock, in particular cattle, will rub their backs and sides along said assemblies, the assemblies being designed to accommodate cattle of different sizes. Normally seated valve means is provided in the lower end of the reservoir or main tank, and responsive to movement of the wick assemblies by the cattle, the valve means is opened to permit a flow of a quantity of the liquid to a smaller container. The level of liquid within the smaller container is controlled by a float-operated valve, and liquid within the smaller container is free to saturate the wicks of the assemblies. In this way, the wick assemblies are charged with insecticide responsive to rubbing of the cattle against said assemblies, which rubbing tends, of

course, to transfer from the wicks to the hides of the cattle liquid previously flowing to the wicks.

One important object of the present invention is to provide an improved, simplified formation and relative arrangement of the main and auxiliary flow-regulating valves.

Another object is to provide an improved means for V transferring to the wick liquid flowing to the smaller container of the structure.

Still another object is to provide an improved wick assembly, wherein a Wick is extended through a coil spring, with the cattle rubbing against the spring to eflect a transfer of the liquid from the wick to the backs and sides of the cattle.

Other objects will appear from the following description the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a rubbing station formed according to the present invention, portions of the wick assemblies being broken away;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the structure portions of the wick assembles being broken away;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, still further enlarged, on line 44 of Figure 3, showing the means for regulating the flow of liquid to the lower tank and for transferring the liquid to the wicks from the lower tank;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the wick assembly;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified construction;

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view online 77 of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view, still further enlarged, on line 8-8 of Figure 7, showing the modified wick assembly.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in the form of the invention shown in Figures l-5 the structure includes upstanding rectangularly spaced posts or standards 10 which may be four-by-fours, or the like, these being embedded in concrete blocks 12 or otherwise anchored in their vertical positions. Secured fixedly to and projecting upwardly from the respective posts are angle iron, vertical supports 14, and connected between the supports at each side of the structure (see Figure 2) are horizontal top rails 16, 16. As will be seen, this provides an upstanding, rigid frame, open at its opposite sides for extension of the wick assemblies therethrough in a manner to be made presently apparent.

Fixedly mounted upon and extending transversely between the intermediate portions of the top rails 16 are cross bars 18, 18 and fixedly secured to and supported on the cross bars 18 is an upwardly opening main tank or reservoir 20.

Rigid with the side wall of the main tank 20 at the upper end of said tank, and extending diametrically of the tank, is a bar 22, and projecting upwardly from and made rigid with bar 22 are transversely spaced ears 24 between which extends a lever 26, pivotally connected to and between the ears intermediate its ends for swinging movement in a vertical plane.

At its front end, the lever has secured thereto a flat, short length of bar material to provide a lever extension 28, and pivotally connected to said lever extension (see Figure 3) is a valve stem extending axially within the tank 20.

The bottom wall of tank 20 is formed centrally thereof with a well 32, having an axial passage 34.

A compression, coil spring 36 surrounds stem 30 within well 32, and at its upper end bears against an abutment 38 provided at the upper end of the well. At its lower end, spring 36 bears against a valve disc 40 secured to the lower end of the stem and normally seating against the lower end of the well to close the passage 34.

A connecting hose 42 is connected at one end to the well 32, in communication with passage 34, and at its other end is connected in communication with a flowregulating tank 44. Tank 44 is disposed within a rectangular tank support frame 46 that is disposed below the main tank 20, and connected to the upper end of frame 46, adjacent opposite sides of said frame, are expansion springs 48, the other ends of which are connected to the side rails 16.

The frame 46 is thus springably suspended from the main or stationary framework and the auxiliary or flowregulating tank 44 is pivotally carried by the frame 46, through the provision of outwardly projecting trunnions 50 fixed to the side wall of the tank 44 and rotating in opposed openings provided in the sides of the frame 46.

Projecting radially, inwardly from the side wall of the tank 44 is a pivot bracket 52, and vertically swingable upon said bracket is a float support arm 54 to the outer end of which is connected a float 56. Rigid with the arm 54 is an upwardly projecting, angular valve plunger 58, constituting a needle valve that normally seats in an axially bored fitting to which the outlet end of the tube 42 is connected.

It will be seen that when the tank 44 is filled with a predetermined quantity of the liquid float 56 will rise, swinging arm 54 to a position in which the valve 58 will close the passage of the fitting 60, preventing additional flow of liquid from the main to the auxiliarytank. As soon as the liquid Within the auxiliary tank falls below a predetermined level, the valve 58 will open as the float drops, permitting additional flow of liquid through the tube 42. a

Extending diametrically of and within the tank 44 at the lower end thereof is a tubular member e2 having a Patented Oct. 22, 1957 3 longitudinal series of apertures 64. The tubular member opens upon diametrically opposite portions of the tank 44, and extending through the tubular member is a wick 66 of a wick assembly generally designated at -67.

The wick assembly in Figures 1-5 includes a wide, fiat chain comprising links 68 provided with upwardly arched wick and cotton rope retainer rods 70. The wick 66 and two cotton ropes 71 of equal diameter, located at opposite sides of the wick, extend along the entire top surface of the flat chain, extending through the rods 70. Also in contact with the wick are two cotton ropes 72 of equal diameter, extending along the entire bottom surface of the fiat chain through downwardly arched retainer rods 73.

As will be noted, the wick assembly is in the form of a shallow, inverted V, the apex of which passes through the rectangular frame 46, being supported upon the bottom portion of said frame.

Connected between the wick assembly and the outer end of lever 26 is a pull cord 73 which is preferably provided intermediate its ends with a contractile spring.

By reason of the construction illustrated and described, when the stock rubs against the wick assembly, up-anddown movement of said assembly, and also side-to-side movements thereof, will cause a pull to be exerted upon the cord 73', swinging the lever 26 counterclockwise in Figure 1. As a result, the lever will cause the stem 30 to rise, against the restraint of spring 36, unseating valve and permitting flow from the main tank into the tube 42.

If the level of liquid within the auxiliary tank is at a predetermined level, the valve 58 will remain in closed position and fiow of the liquid from tube 42 into the auxiliary tank 44 will be prevented. However, when said level drops, as previously described, the valve 58 will open to permit liquid to flow into the auxiliary tank. Said liquid will saturate the wick 66, by passage of the liquid through the apertures 64 into the tubular member 62 through which wick 66 extends.

The wick assembly at its outer ends is connected to expansion springs 74 attached to stakes 76.

The provision of a wick assembly in the shape of a shallow inverted V, of course, permits the device to be used by calves as well as full grown cattle, since the wick assembly at the different locations along its length is at different elevations above the ground surface.

Referring now to Figures 6-8, there is here shown a modified form which, so far as the supporting framework is concerned, is similar to the first form. In this arrangement, however, there are provided lower side rails 78 on the framework, and fixedly connected to the undersides of the rails 78 and extending therebe-twe'en are cross bars 89. The auxiliary tank, in this form of the invention, is supported directly upon the framework, rather than being springably suspended from the framework and pivoted on the springable suspension means in the manner shown in the first form of the invention. Otherwise, the auxiliary tank, the valve means provided therein, the valve of the main tank, and the connecting tube assem bly are as in the first form. Further, the tubular member shown in the first form is employed, with the wick 66 extending therethrough.

In this form of the invention the wick assembly is modified by use of elongated expansion coil springs 82'. A pair of the springs is provided in the wick assembly, the inner ends of the springs being connected to the respective cross bars 30 and the outer ends of the springs tapering as shown in Figure 8 and being connected to rods 84'. The rods 84 have heads 85 disposed at tapered portions of the springs, and at their outer end, the rods extend through openings provided in stakes 86. The outer ends of rods 84 are threaded, to receive wing nuts 88 which can be turnedin a selected direction to adjust the tension of the springs 82.

It will be understood that instead of a single spring connected between each stake 86 and the associated cross bar 80, there could be two springs in side-by-side relation, to create a greater rubbing surface. This is believed sufficiently obvious so as not to require special illustration herein.

In this form of the invention, further, openings 90 are provided in the respective standards 14, so that the rails 78 could be connected between said standards at selected elevations.

This form of the invention, it may be noted, will involve the use of a lever or regulator arm 92 somewhat longer than that of the first form of the invention.

With further reference to the construction shown in Figures 1-5, the provision of the perforated tubular member 62 provides an arrangement wherein liquid will not run out of the smaller tank 44 except to the extent that the wick 66 will absorb it, said wick 66 completely filling the interior of the tube 62. The result is a well saturated Wick and ropes 72, without waste of the liquid.

It will further be noted that the provision of the springs in the pull cord 73 is .adapted to absorb extra tension after the main valve 40 is unseated. Still further, the use of a float-operated regulating valve 58 permits adjustment to be made, in the float position, so as to provide for corresponding adjustments in the amount of liquid that will be maintained within the auxiliary tank 44. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustments may be effected within a range from one half pint to one quart of the liquid within the tank 44.

Still further, the wick assembly shown in Figures 6-8 is designed to provide a highly simplified, but fully effective means for transferring the liquid from the wick to the stock. The springs 82 have considerable flexibility,

and on flexure thereof, the springs tend to shift different convolutions of the same into engagement with the surface of wick 66, exerting slight pressures on the wick 66 over the length thereof tending to cause liquid to flow from the wick through the convolutions of the springs onto the stock.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A livestock rubbing station comprising a framework; a main tank supported thereon; an auxiliary tank springably suspended from the main frame below the main tank; means providing a connecting passage between the tanks; a wick assembly springably suspended with the auxiliary tank from the main frame and extending in opposite directions from the auxiliary tank wholly below a horizontal plane passing through the auxiliary tank, said assembly including a wick, the auxiliary tank including a tubular member extending therethrough and opening exteriorly of the auxiliary tank, said tubular member having perforations permitting liquid to flow thereinto from the auxiliary tank and the wick having a portion extending through the tubular member so as to be saturated with said liquid; and valve means on the respective tanks adapted for efiecting flow of liquid from the main to the auxiliary tank, and for regulating the amount of liquid permitted to fiow into the auxiliary tank.

2. A livestock rubbing station comprising a framework; a main tanksupported thereon; an auxiliary tank support frame springably suspended from theframework below the main tank; an auxiliary tank pivoted in said auxiliary tank supported frame; flexible means providing a connecting passage between the tanks; a wick assembly extending in opposite directions from the auxiliary tank wholly below a horizontal plane passing through the auxiliary tank and having an intermediate portion passing through the auxiliary tank support frame for springably suspending the wick assembly from the framework, said assembly including a wick, said auxiliary tank including a tubular member extending therethrough and opening exteriorly of the auxiliary tank, said tubular member having perforations permitting liquid to flow thereinto from the auxiliary tank and the wick extending through the tubular member so as to be saturated with said liquid; and valve means on the respective tanks adapted for effecting flow of liquid from the main to the auxiliary tank, and for regulating the amount of liquid permitted to flow into the auxiliary tank.

3. A livestock rubbing station comprising a framework; a main tank supported thereon; an auxiliary tank support frame springably suspended from the framework below the main tank; an auxiliary tank pivoted in said auxiliary tank support frame; flexible means providing a connecting passage between the tanks; a wick assembly extending in opposite directions from the auxiliary tank wholly below a horizontal plane passing through the auxiliary tank and having an intermediate portion passing through the auxiliary tank support frame for springably suspending the wick assembly from the framework, said assembly including a wick, said auxiliary tank including a tubular member extending therethrough and opening exteriorly of the auxiliary tank, said tubular member having perforations permitting liquid to flow thereinto from the auxiliary tank and the wick extending through the tubular member so .as to be saturated with said liquid; and valve means on the respective tanks adapted for effecting flow of liquid from the main to the auxiliary tank, and for regulating the amount of liquid permitted to flow into the auxiliary tank, said valve means including a valve stem extending within the main tank, a valve carried by said 4. A livestock rubbing station comprising a framework; a main tank supported thereon; an auxiliary tank support frame springably suspended from the framework below the main tank; an auxiliary tank pivoted in said auxiliary tank support frame; flexible means providing a connecting passage between the tanks; a Wick assembly extending in opposite directions from the auxiliary tank wholly below a horizontal plane passing through the auxiliary tank and having an intermediate portion passing through the auxiliary tank support frame for springably suspending the wick assembly from the framework, said assembly including a wick, said auxiliary tank including a tubular member extending therethrough and opening exteriorly of the auxiliary tank, said tubular member having perforations permitting liquid to flow thereinto from the auxiliary tank and the wick extending through the tubular member so as to be saturated with said liquid; and valve means on the respective tanks adapted for effecting flow of liquid from the main to the auxiliary tank, and for regulating the amount of liquid permitted to flow into the auxiliary tank, said valve means including a valve stem extending within the main tank, a valve carried by said stem and normally closing said passage, a lever pivoted on the main tank and connected at one end to said stem for elevating the stem responsive to rocking of the lever in one direction, and a flexible connection between said lever and wick assembly for swinging the lever in said direction responsive to movement of the wick assembly by stock rubbing against the same, the valve means on the auxiliary tank including a flat within said tank, an arm connected to said float and pivoted on the auxiliary tank, and a valve extension on said arm extending into the means providing said connecting passage, whereby to close said passage where it enters the auxiliary tank responsive to elevation of the float to a predetermined lever Within the auxiliary tank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS H e J n, 15, 1 .1 

